C.P. Petersen & Sons

Canadian, active 1946–1979

Bonbonnière, c. 1950–1960

silver

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Copenhagen-born Carl Poul Petersen (1895–1977) trained under the renowned Danish master Georg Jensen, and his silver combines the stylish simplicity of Jensen’s modern aesthetic with organic Art Nouveau elements. Based in Montreal, Petersen introduced modern Danish silver design to Canada, his work offering a striking contrast to the British and French revivalist styles that dominated the market at that time. Petersen’s designs are characterized by elegant silhouettes with decoration generally restricted to points of termination, such as finials, feet, and handles. Emphasizing the handmade element of his silver-making earned Petersen a niche market for custom domestic silver. Although his designs often involved mechanical processes to produce the initial shapes, the objects were hand-finished by the silversmiths in his employ, the hammer marks clearly visible.